Tamil film Selvi, starring and produced by National Award-winning actor Anjali Patil and directed by Sailesh Rathnakumar, has won two awards at the 31st Busan International Film Festival. The film received the Taipei Film Commission Award and the Hylife Vision Award, marking a significant achievement for the team at the international festival.

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Selvi had its world premiere on October 9, 2026, as part of the festival’s Vision section, which showcases films from across Asia. According to the report, the premiere attracted a packed audience, while subsequent screenings also sold out. Each of the two awards carries a cash prize of KRW 10 million, equivalent to approximately ₹7 lakh.

Speaking about the recognition, Anjali Patil credited director Sailesh Rathnakumar for his work in bringing the story to the screen. She said the awards were particularly meaningful because the film marks his debut as a director. Patil also praised the appreciation the team received from Korean audiences and film enthusiasts, describing the recognition as encouragement to continue making meaningful films with honesty and care.

The achievement follows another year of recognition for Indian cinema at Busan. In 2025, Tribeny Rai’s Shape of Momo won the Taipei Film Commission Award, while the Hylife Vision Awards recognised Tiger, directed by Anshul Chauhan, and If on a Winter’s Night, directed by Sanju Surendran.

Selvi tells the story of a migrant home-care nurse who works in the homes of wealthy families. Her shifts can last anywhere from 12 to 72 hours, leaving her with limited control over her personal life. When an incident from her past resurfaces, she must confront a difficult situation. The film explores migration, caregiving, friendship and the difficult choices people make to survive.

The cast includes Anjali Patil, Swathy Krishnan, Vinoth Kishan, Archana Padmini, Semmalar Annam and Mekha Rajan. Its technical team includes editor A. Sreekar Prasad, a nine-time National Award winner, and National Award-winning sound designer Anand Krishnamoorthi.

The film is co-produced by the Red Sea Fund, an initiative of the Red Sea International Film Festival, and has received support from Hong Kong Asia Film Financing and India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Following its screening in Busan, Selvi is scheduled to screen at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival, extending its international festival journey.

The two awards add to the growing international visibility of Indian independent cinema and bring attention to a Tamil film exploring the lives and challenges of migrant care workers.